Design Principles
These principles were created to help guide the Harris Ranch development and design:
- Harris Ranch will have its own identifiable center and boundaries derived from topography, river basin, ranch lands, parks and institutions.
- The development of Harris Ranch respects the historical patterns, precedents and boundaries of what was once the largest town in Idaho, the mill town of Barberton.
- A broad spectrum of land uses will support the economy of Harris Ranch and Boise and benefit people of all incomes. Affordable housing will be found throughout Harris Ranch.
- Pedestrian, bicycle and transportation systems will maximize access and mobility throughout Harris Ranch while reducing dependence on cars.
- The neighborhood, the corridor and the community are the essential elements of Harris Ranch and are designed to encourage residents and workers to take responsibility for the maintenance and evolution of Harris Ranch.
- Harris Ranch neighborhoods are compact, pedestrian-friendly and mixed-use. Schools will be sized and located to enable children to walk or bicycle to school. Corridors are connectors of neighborhoods and district corridors. They range from boulevards, bus routes and sidewalks to paths and trails.
- Many activities of daily living occur within walking distance, allowing independence to those who do not drive, particularly the elderly and the young. Interconnected networks of streets are designed to encourage walking, reduce the number and length of car trips and conserve energy.
- Within Harris Ranch neighborhoods, a broad range of housing types and price levels will bring people of diverse ages, gender and incomes into daily interaction, strengthening the bonds essential to a contributing neighborhood of Boise.
- Appropriate building densities and land uses are within walking distance of probable future transit stops permitting public transit to become a viable alternative to cars.
- Conservation areas and open lands are used to define the edges of, and connect different neighborhoods and districts to Harris Ranch.
- Streets, squares and greens will be designed to be safe, comfortable and interesting to the pedestrian, to encourage walking and enable neighbors to know each other and protect their community.
Residential Design Guidelines
Click here to download the Single Family Residential Design Guidelines.
